GO GREEN TIP #59: Reuse Coffee Grounds

Reuse Coffee Grounds

Cup of Joe. Java. Liquid Energy. Brain Juice. These are just a few popular nicknames for most Americans’ favorite morning beverage– Coffee.

But with a little creativity, this same morning brew can be used for much more than merely dragging you out of bed in the morning. In fact, there’s an entire list of innovative ways you can reuse coffee grounds, from turning them into beauty products to using them to spice up your vegetable garden.

Here are just a few of our favorites ideas for keeping those used grounds sacred:

Backyard Garden photo by Jasper33 via Creative Commons

• Make a DIY skin-tightening mask by mixing used coffee grounds with an egg white.

• Use coffee grounds to help remove grease and stuck-on food from pots and pans – mix them with a little water and the abrasive, acidic properties of the grounds will making cleaning quick and painless.

• Clean sink drains and keep them odor-free by pouring a half-cup of used coffee grounds down them and then flushing immediately with 5 cups of boiling water (to avoid clogging).

• Used coffee grounds make great fertilizer! Spread some over plants and flowers, or mix some in planting soil before planting vegetables such as carrots and radishes.

• Coffee grounds are an easy, greener alternative to pest repellents. Sprinkle some around any areas of the home that are prone to ants and get rid of a pesky problem.

• Have leftover coffee? Instead of pouring it down the train, use to it tenderize your steak!

For a full list of innovative ways to reuse coffee grounds, visit Chasing Green. –Carisa Turner

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